ABSTRACT
Anaemia is one of the most prevalent diseases worldwide. It is the leading cause of deaths during pregnancy. It is also associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes (including low birth weight and prematurity). According to the World Health Organization, anaemia is a condition in which the number of red blood cells, or their oxygen-carrying capacity, is insufficient to satisfy physiologic needs, which vary by age, sex, altitude, smoking, and pregnancy status. During pregnancy, the demand for nutritional substances is increased. Dietary deficiencies give rise to anaemia in pregnancy, due to the inability to meet the required level of nutritional substances. Nutraceuticals are “natural” substances that are obtained from food substances and are useful for medical benefits. Nutraceuticals are emerging as safe and effective options to prevent or treat diseases through dietary supplementation. These agents are important during pregnancy for the prevention of disorders such as anaemia, secondary only to nutrient deficiency. In addition, it is important to understand to what extent nutraceuticals contribute to satisfying overall nutrient requirement during pregnancy.
